Krum's Challenge

Moody grew excited again. The students could hardly understand their professor's shifting moods; even if this madman suddenly burst into tears, they would not have been surprised.

"Watch, Longbottom." Fake Moody glared viciously at the Whip Spider. "Cruciatus Curse!"

The effect of this spell was exactly like its incantation. Once cast, it inflicted the agony of the Cruciatus Curse—perhaps even worse, because this pain came from the soul.

The Whip Spider began to convulse. Its eight legs twitched helplessly as wave after wave of pain drove it mad, twisting its body under Neville's gaze.

Neville stared blankly at the struggling Whip Spider, and another scene seemed to appear before his eyes.

A madwoman was casting the Cruciatus Curse on his parents again and again.

He desperately wanted to look away, but he did not dare. He was afraid—afraid that if he looked away, they would leave him forever.

The Cruciatus Curse was being inflicted on the Whip Spider, yet it felt as though it were being inflicted on Neville's heart as well.

"Stop! Stop it! Can't you see how much Neville is suffering?!" Hermione Granger screamed at Moody, nearly hysterical. Kind-hearted as she was, she could not bear to see Neville tormented by those painful memories.

After being shouted at by the young witch, a flash of anger crossed fake Moody's face. Eli fixed his eyes on the impostor. He swore that if the fraud dared make a move, he could take his head within ten exchanges.

Fake Moody hid his emotions again. He knew he had risked his life to infiltrate right under Dumbledore's nose for more than just killing a young witch. He had a greater mission!

He picked up the Whip Spider, which no longer had the strength to move, and placed it on Hermione Granger's desk.